Sunday night I got to bring my dog Jax home with me. We (my ex-wife and I) had gotten him when he was only 4 months old, and he will be turning 14 in April. He is an Aussie border collie mix, which if you know anything about dogs, the fact that he is this size and this old is wonderful, and it doesn't happen too often.
When we had first split, I didn't have stable housing (it's why on my days off I slept on her couch, just so I could see my kids), and so it was a no-brainer that he would stay with her. Well, time has passed, I'm in a much better place (hence why we split custody), and so I approached her about bringing him home with me. Whenever I would go over there to pick up or drop off the kids, he was sitting there in her windowsill just waiting for me. They had just bought a female Rott puppy (well, still in age, she'll be 2 this year), and he's at that age in life where he doesn't want to play like she does. And, she was demanding all the attention, leaving him with very little. So, we talked about it and that's why I brought him home.
It's only been a couple of days, but I make sure I take him for a walk in the morning and in the early evening. Since I'm a writer and a stay-at-home dad, I can give him the attention he wants. He follows me around like a puppy, which isn't that unusual. He's always had a lot of energy, and most people when they see him don't believe he's really that old.
Yes, he has cataracts and is very hard of hearing; and yes, his back legs sometimes tremble when he gets too excited or when he's been standing too long. But, he still enjoys life, and that's the important thing. I've met a lot of people who when the dog gets to be a certain age they're already talking about putting it to sleep! Why? If the dog isn't in any pain and still likes to do all those doggy things, they aren't a burden. They are family, and all they want is someplace to sleep, somebody to love them and give them attention, and some food. That's it. They love us, and just want to be around us. Isn't that asking so little of us, for all the love and devotion they give in return? I think it isn't asking too much at all. I'm so glad that he's here with me.